“Iran’s supreme leader nixes new negotiations with West post-Trump,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, November 24, 2020.

“While the regime’s thugs drive around in their luxury cars and send their kids and money abroad, honest, hardworking Iranians are denied a livable wage.”  See “Iran cracks down on champion Iranian wrestler for street peddling,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, November 24, 2020.

“Iran reports 483 more virus deaths, over 13,700 cases,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, November 24, 2020.

“Iranian-German Dissident Captured by Iran Denied Access to Lawyer, Appears in New Forced Confession, Daughter Tells VOA,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, November 24, 2020.

“Female Peddlers in Iran Risking Death,” Iran Focus, November 24, 2020.

An unusual story, reflecting how environmentally conscious Israel is, and its saving a deer the IRI didn’t care about.  “Mossad, secrecy and Iran: How Israel reintroduced Persian fallow deer,” Aaron Reich, Jerusalem Post, November 24, 2020.

“Iran to Purchase 18m Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine,” Financial Tribune, November 24, 2020.

“The Russia-brokered pact is yet another blow to Iran’s self-image as a regional hegemon” and will limit the revolutionary impulse and ability.  Russia has drawn lines, Iran could only watch their being announced.  A reminder that Russia can be an enabler or a restricter.  “Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal a strategic disaster for Iran,” Dnyanesh Kamat, op-ed, Asia Times, November 23, 2020.

In addition to the Nov. 22 news, here is more information.  “Baha’i Homes Reportedly Raided In Cities Across Iran,” RFE/RL, November 23, 2020.  “Simin Fahandej, a spokesperson for the Baha’i International Community, told the BBC that the homes of at least 20 Baha’is in the cities of Tehran, Karaj, Kerman, Isfahan, and Mashhad had been targeted. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that the homes of 30 to 50 Baha’is had been searched. Reports say security forces confiscated cellphones, laptops, and religious books.”

“H.R. McMaster: ‘Disaster’ for Biden to Return to Iran Deal,” WTMA, November 23, 2020.

We appreciate what Reuters does in this instance, to in the headline point out that Iran does anything but play an “advisory” role in Syria and regarding Assad.  See “Iran vows to crush any Israeli attempt to hit its ‘advisory’ role in Syria,” Reuters, Yahoo, November 22, 2020.

Normal countries build infrastructure and roads.  “The mentioned mines are situated in South Khorasan, Yazd, Semnan, West Azarbaijan, Zanjan, and Qazvin provinces, according to Divdideh. He added that with the completion of this project, the essential road and rail network will be offered for the growth of 70 mines in the country. The government projects to pay out seven trillion rials (about USD167 million) for offering mining infrastructure by the end of the next Iranian calendar year (March 2022), as told by IRNA.  See “Iran to provide essential infrastructure for 30 mines,” MENAFN, November 22, 2020.

This blog focuses on the Regime.  Here is different sort of story, reminding us of the good nature of the people of Iran.  “Iranian Teacher Spends Inheritance on Buying Tablets for Deprived Students,” IFP, November 22, 2020.

“On the morning of Sunday, November 22, in simultaneous operations in various cities across Iran, security agents ransacked the homes of tens of Baha’is. Their personal effects, mobile phones, computers, laptops and religious books and pictures were all confiscated, and in a number of cases, the agents also reportedly took away any cash they found, along with national ID cards. The reason for this wave of raids is not yet known. According to two Baha’is whose homes were searched, the warrant only specified that it was for “searching the home and workplace and seizure of equipment.” As of now, there have been no reports of any arrests. At the time of writing raids on the homes of Baha’is in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and its suburbs, Mashhad and Kerman had been confirmed.  See “Breaking: An All-Out Assault on Baha’is Across Iran,” Iran Press Watch, November 22, 2020.

$100,000 is very little.  The article expounds to say “1,300 passenger cars … were exported to nine countries in this period including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Spain, China, Iraq and Turkey.”  See “Iran exports $100,000 worth of sedans to Spain: IRICA,” Mehr, November 22, 2020.

“Indonesia to study Iran’s proposal to build oil refinery,” Mehr News Agency, November 22, 2020.

This article poses one of the challenges the new U.S. administration will face—a huge unreasonable claim.  “U.S., Europe should pay Iran $200 billion in compensation over JCPOA failure: senior MP,” Tehran Times, November 22, 2020.

First, the reason for the existence of this blog was mentioned again, this time by Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, who said, “While we all aspire to have Iran back as a normal peaceful nation-state within the international community, the last forty years’ experience with the Iranian regime is not encouraging,” said in a speech to the National Council on US-Arab Relations.  Second, Sen. Chris Coons is correct, no re-entry of anything like the JCPOA unless Iran limits itsballistic missiles and support for proxy groups.  See “Top Democratic senator opposes reentering Iran deal under previous terms,” Times of Israel, November 21, 2020.

Uh oh, second one in less than a week.  How sad.  “Discriminatory Treatment of the Poor in Iran, Single Mother Self-Immolates,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.

“Tehran, Moscow to Boost Tourism Cooperation after Pandemic,” IFP, November 21, 2020.

“Iran imposes nationwide COVID-19 restrictions but no lockdown,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, November 21, 2020.

“On Wednesday, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) inside the U.S. Treasury issued sanctions against Iran’s Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation (Bonyad Mostazafan). They said that rather than being a charitable organization, it is “an immense conglomerate” with 160 holdings in the sectors of finance, energy, construction, logistics, information technology, and mining, which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei uses to enrich his office and his allies, as well as punish dissidents.”  See “U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation,” Iran Focus, November 21, 2020.

“A local cobbler set himself on fire outside the Social Security Org. in protest to his unemployment insurance being cut off. He said he didn’t have money to provide treatment for his mother, who is suffering from cancer.”  He died on Nov. 18 in the hospital.  “Iranian Worker, 45, Sets Himself On Fire Due to Financial Straits,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.

“Iran, Oman eyeing cultural cooperation,” Trend, November 21, 2020.

“Iran: Two Senior Officials of Health Ministry Resign in a Day,” Iran News Update, November 21, 2020.

“New Wave of Arrests of MEK Supporters in Tehran and Across the Country,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.

A welcome article, this is what normal countries do.  The Majlis announced allocation of $950M from its budget for badly needed road projects.  “Iran allocates funds to boost road construction,” Argus Media, November 20, 2020.

“Venezuelan bishop warns of Iran’s rising influence in the country,” Inés San Martín, Crux Now, November 20, 2020.

“Why Was Iran Hiding Al Qaeda’s No. 2 in Tehran?,” James Phillips, National Interest, November 20, 2020.

“COVID-19 kills 479 more people in Iran: Official,” Kazinform, November 20, 2020.

“Iran reportedly seizes Panama-flagged tanker over fuel smuggling,” Tradewinds, November 20, 2020.

“Iran’s Economy Suffers from State-Backed Mafia, Not Sanctions,” Esmaeil Mohades, Iran Focus, November 20, 2020.

Dehghan is possible presidential candidate.  “US attack risks ‘full-fledged war,’ says adviser to Iran’s leader,” Nasser Karimi, Jon Gambrell, AP, November 20, 2020.

“Astan-e Quds Razavi, A Pillar of Khamenei’s Economic Empire in Iran,” Iran News Update, November 20, 2020.

“Lifting of Sanctions Precursor to Potential Talks with JCPOA Parties: Iran,” IFP, November 19, 2020.

“Iran: Teachers Struggle for Inherent Rights,” Iran News Update, November 19, 2020.

“Iran may be shipping military equipment to Venezuela,” Nicholas Carl, Critical Threats, November 19, 2020.

“Unit 840, a subdivision of the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, operates in both the Damascus area and in the Syrian Golan. Israeli intelligence suggests the unit is behind two events, one last week and one in August, in which explosives were placed on the Israeli side of the Syrian border.”  See “Israel’s Latest Syria Strike Targeted Iranian Unit That Paid Locals to Plant Explosives on Border,” Amos Harel, Haaretz, November 19, 2020.

“Iranian attacks are down, but not over, CENTCOM commander says,” Meghann Myers, Military Times, November 19, 2020.

About the bomb trial beginning Nov. 27 in Antwerp, including for defendant Assadollah Assadi, an Iran diplomat.  “Iran’s Regime Diplomat-Terrorist on Trail: The Bomb,” Mohammad Sadat Khansari, NCRI, November 19, 2020.

“Baha’i University Candidates Summoned for Interrogation,” Iran Press Watch, November 19, 2020.

“Iran Unveils Its New Sea Base Warship That Looks Like A Floating Arms Bazaar,” Thomas Newdick, The Drive, November 19, 2020.  See also “VIDEO: Iran Inducts New Special Operations Ship,” H.I. Sutton, USNI News, November 19, 2020.

“Iranian Activists Who Celebrated Ancient Persian Ruler’s Birthday Get Long Prison Terms,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, November 19, 2020.

We all want Iran to move toward the normalcy, certainly the relative normalcy, of some of its neighbors to the West across the Gulf.  Bahrain is one of those countries who refuses to enable Iran’s revolutionary path.  “Exclusive: Biden must consult Gulf states before new Iran deal, Bahrain foreign minister says,” Barak Ravid, Barak Ravid, Axios, November 18, 2020.

“Rockets apparently fired by Iran-backed Iraqi militia hit US complex in Baghdad,” Karen DeYoung, Louisa Loveluck, and Ellen Nakashima, Guam Daily Post, Washington Post, November 18, 2020.

“Iran’s Most-wanted Terrorist & Former Pak Army Conspirator Killed; Had Abducted Kulbhushan,” Republic World, November 18, 2020.  “In a massive development, Pakistani police have allegedly killed Iran’s top wanted terrorist and their own military’s former conspirator Mulla Omar in Turbat city of Balochistan. As per media reports, he used to work for Pakistan Army and was the one who kidnapped and handed over Kulbhushan Jadhav to Pakistan. He has been killed days after Iran’s FM Javad Zarif met senior Pakistan Army leadership, allegedly at the behest of the Pak Army.”

“Bonyad Mostazafan is ostensibly a charitable organization charged with providing benefits to the poor and oppressed. Its holdings are expropriated from the Iranian people and are used by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to enrich his office, reward his political allies and persecute the regime’s enemies.”  See “In New Iran Sanctions, US Targets Khamenei-Controlled Foundation,” VOA, November 18, 2020.

“Iran feeds uranium gas into advanced centrifuges underground -IAEA report,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, November 18, 2020.  But what the headline doesn’t say about violation the article quickly announces—“ Iran has fired up advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges that it had installed underground at its Natanz site, in the latest breach of its nuclear deal with major powers, a report by the U.N. atomic watchdog obtained by Reuters on Wednesday showed. Natanz is Iran’s main uranium-enrichment site and the one that U.S. President Donald Trump recently asked for options on attacking, according to a source who confirmed a New York Times report. The deal states that Iran can only accumulate enriched uranium with first-generation IR-1 machines and that those are the only centrifuges it can operate at its underground plant at Natanz, apparently built to withstand aerial bombardment.”

After Iran planted explosives close to an Israeli military base in the Golan Heights.  “Israel strikes widely in Syria, sending signal of aggressive post-Trump posture,” Reuters, November 18, 2020.

“Iranian Christian gets 80 lashes for drinking Communion wine,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, November 18, 2020.

Perhaps it goes without saying, but entering an arms race means there is a race, and we are reminded that one’s neighbors may follow.  “Saudi Minister Won’t Rule Out Developing Nuclear Weapons if Iran Does,” Haaretz, November 17, 2020.

“UN atomic watchdog: Iran now operating Natanz centrifuges,” David Rising, AP, November 17, 2020.

“Iranian, British foreign ministers discuss JCPOA,” Tehran Times, November 17, 2020.

In the category of “read the details,” the FM claims that if the U.S. president will simply sign executive orders, Iran will immediately come back into the JCPOA.  But read the article, and remember all the other pronouncements by the Iranian government representatives for many, many months—that is not accurate.  At the least, the U.S. has a number of steps it has to take first, including paying billions to Iran for “sanctions relief.”  And Iran doesn’t have to do anything.  See “Iran’s Zarif says Biden can lift sanctions with ‘three executive orders’,” Reuters, November 17, 2020.

“Upcoming Terrorism Trial Is Opportunity To Challenge Status Quo Relations With Iran,” Alejo Vidal Quadras, NCRI, November 17, 2020.

“Why Is Iran Talking About Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Now?,” Fabian Hinz, Radio Farda, November 17, 2020.

Another way of saying this is, will the new Administration look to Israel to encourage Iran to change?  See “Israel’s Success Against Iran Poses a Challenge for Biden,” Eli Lake, op-ed, Bloomberg, November 17, 2020.

“Chinese and Russian officials made clear at a 2019 area studies conference in Beijing, which one of us attended, that their nations share the goal of deposing the United States as global leader.”  (and “Tehran May Be Less Open Than Ever to Threats or Persuasion”).  See “China and Russia Have Iran’s Back,” Jamsheed Choksy and Carol Choksy, Foreign Affairs, November 17, 2020.

“Iran Denies Borders Change After Karabakh Peace Deal,” Radio Farda, November 17, 2020.

“Iran Starts Mass Producing 20-Minute COVID-19 Test,” IFP, November 17, 2020.

Remember, the ballistic missile attacks on two U.S. bases in Iraq don’t count because no U.S. personnel died.  And regardless of the Iranian officials at the time who said that revenge had been accomplished.  “Iran to Avenge General Soleimani’s Assassination: IRGC Chief,” IFP, November 16, 2020.

486 deaths (again, only about a third of actual deaths) announced Sunday.  “Iran registers record daily increase in coronavirus cases, fatalities: TV,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, November 16, 2020.

The Helmand River continues to be simmering dispute, and Iran has more leverage even though Afghanistan is upstream.  “Iran has sufficient technical capacities to help Afghanistan using border water sources,” Trend, November 16, 2020.

IranWire reports that 1B slated for Covid is missing.  “Iran’s Khamenei funds terrorism over COVID-19 aid workers,” U.S. Embassy in Georgia, November 16, 2020.

“Erdoğan confidant who runs ops in Europe has criminal record with links to Iran’s mullah regime,” Abdullah Bozkurt, Nordic Monitor, November 16, 2020.

This blog regularly sees news of religious discrimination against multiple groups, even Shia.  Baha’i have recently been in the news.  Today it is Christianity’s turn, and the number one million makes another appearance.  “Gospel Making Inroads In Iran Despite Strong Persecution,” Leah Nablo Yecla, Christianity Daily, November 16, 2020.

But yet Twitter won’t block the Supreme Leader’s account.  “Twitter Blocks Iran Oil Minister’s Account,” Charles Kennedy, OilPrice.com, November 16, 2020.

Points for the new administration to remember.  The Iranian regime never stopped work on its top-secret nuclear program, nor its terror attacks.  “Biden administration should take tough stance with Iran,” Struan Stevenson, UPI, November 16, 2020.

I want to know more about this—what kind of cooperation, and who is driving the boat.  And note the source.  “Iran, Iraq finalize bilateral defense cooperation,” Xinhua, November 15,| 2020.

“Iran ‘deliberately blocked’ internet to cover up protest killings – new investigation,” Amnesty International, November 15, 2020.

“Intelligence Ministry Launches New Wave of Arrests to Fend off Iran Protests,” Iran HRM, November 15, 2020.

“Iran says opposition leader tested positive for coronavirus,” AP, November 15, 2020.  “Mir Hossein Mousavi lost the 2009 race to former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Allegations of vote-rigging sparked huge protests, leading to a wide-scale crackdown on dissent. Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard have been under house arrest since 2011 in the capital, Tehran.”  And now Iran’s semi-official ILNA news agency says Mousavi and his wife have tested positive for Covid while under house arrest.